# Support \*Can\* Be Beautiful (and Patriotic) or, "Join the SDMB USO" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793 "2001-10-01T17:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MissBHaven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missbhaven/32/7170_2.png) [@MissBHaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissBHaven)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/21 "2001-10-12T14:07:48Z")
Thanks for the info! Can you send “care packages” too? ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/22 "2001-10-12T14:22:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MissBHaven \* > \*\*Thanks for the info! Can you send “care packages” too? \*\* The USO message said “Cards and Letters ONLY” so I suspect they don’t want to have to worry about “ticking gifts” being sent to “Any Soldier.” ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2001, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/23 "2001-10-12T17:34:51Z")
Special thanks to Uncle Beer for updated the Thread title as so many suggested. Drop by the real USO website to see how they help our troups and read up on the newest innovation,[Cyber-Canteens](http://www.uso.org/news/uso_fund_for_freedom2.htm#mobile). Now, who wants a donut and coffee? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MissBHaven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missbhaven/32/7170_2.png) [@MissBHaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissBHaven)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/24 "2001-10-15T17:01:47Z")
😉 bump! ---
**Author:** ![Peta\_Tzunami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b487fb/32.png) [@Peta\_Tzunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peta_Tzunami)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/25 "2001-10-18T12:49:42Z")
Forwarded to me from Annie of [Annie’s Homepage](http://www.annieshomepage.com/chtroops.html) presumably due to Anthrax-scare and concerns: Re: WRITING SERVICE MEMBERS Thu, 18 Oct 2001 07:19:31 - 0400 Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning. As of October 16, 2001 both the Operation DEAR ABBY and Any Service\Member Mail program have been canceled. The most critical issue surrounding these programs is the safety of our personnel. Both of these programs create an avenue to introduce mail into the system from unknown sources. The recent mail-related attacks have demonstrated the vulnerability of the postal system. As a result, mail handling has become more sensitive and time consuming. The increased volume of mail resulting from these programs coupled with the increased manpower effort for Force Protection has the potential of impacting both the quality of service and more importantly, the safety provided to our personnel. Any mail sent to these addresses will be returned to sender. Currently, no alternative mail programs have been established. Additionally, there are no plans to establish another letter writing program. In order to support our service members, their families and our nation, the following suggestions and or alternatives are offered: 1. People who live near a veterans hospital should visit and talk to the veterans who reside there. 2. People can reach out in their communities to family members of our service members and provide comfort. 3. We are all in this together, so people should also “reach out” to emergency workers, firemen, and the police in their communities. On behalf of the Military Postal Service Agency and the Armed Forces of the United States of America, thank you for your support. Respectfully, Craig G. Erlanger, Captain USMC Plans Officer, MPSA ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/26 "2001-10-18T17:05:24Z")
What a damn shame. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/27 "2001-10-18T17:10:06Z")
Dammit. Wonder if they would consider postcards as a viable alternative? ---
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793/28 "2001-10-18T17:59:09Z")
Dagnabbit! I just got to this thread. How sad that but understandable that these letters can no longer be sent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/support-can-be-beautiful-and-patriotic-or-join-the-sdmb-uso/84793.md?page=1)